Scallywag Small Batch Release - Douglas Laing
The blended Scotch Malt Whisky is supposed to be cheeky, at least that's what the name and label promise. The Scallywag is now available in a wide variety of editions and styles. We have the classic in our glasses.What could be better than a dog with a monocle as a bottle label? The blend from Speyside is decorative in its own peculiar way. It is said to contain Mortlach, Macallan, Glenrothes and a few more.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The dominant sweetness on the nose reminds us of nothing other than vanilla pudding with icing, as strange as that may sound. In addition, we have an undertone of grain and malt, as well as sherry aromas.
Palate
In contrast to the nose, we have surprisingly little sweetness, but plenty of vanilla, cardamom and a little oak, which provides a slightly woody dryness. Green grassy notes are present as well as a hint of coked grass. Sherry flavours are in the background. The mouthfeel is slightly oily
Finish
The finish is light on oak tannins, a little cocoa and a bit of sherry tumbles at the end. A cheeky shot of black pepper follows at the very end.
Thoughts
Marcel 82/100
A whisky that’s simply fun with its sweet vanilla notes and cheeky peppery finish – exactly what you’d expect from a Scallywag. Despite the slightly woody finish, it remains approachable and charming, perfect for sociable evenings without any fuss.
Sascha 78/100
The balance between sweet vanilla tones and subtle oak dryness is solid, although the sweetness present on the nose is more restrained on the palate. The complex interplay of cardamom, sherry, and pepper provides structure, even if the blend as a whole could benefit from a bit more depth.
Value for Money: Excellent
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Which distilleries are included in the Scallywag Small Batch Release?
The blend consists of whiskies from various Speyside distilleries, including Mortlach, Macallan, and Glenrothes, complemented by other undisclosed malt whiskies.
How does the taste of Scallywag differ from other Speyside whiskies?
Scallywag presents an unusual combination of sweet vanilla pudding notes on the nose and a rather spicy, slightly woody flavor with cardamom and black pepper on the finish, setting it apart from the typical fruity-floral Speyside style.
Why does Scallywag have no age statement on the bottle?
The Scallywag Small Batch Release is a no-age-statement (NAS) blend because Douglas Laing, as an independent bottler, combines various younger and older whiskies to achieve a distinctive flavor profile.